Dear editor,
Re: The good news announcing the federal government's decision to again turn down Taseko's Prosperity Mine proposal, and then the unbelievable decision by the B.C. government to appeal that decision!
For the second time the federal Ministry of the Environment has turned down the Prosperity Mine project, stating that it would do irreparable damage to the environment.
The decision by Premier Christy Clark and provincial Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett to appeal this second decision blatantly shows their lack of consideration for our beautiful environment.
Even worse, it shows their appalling lack of respect for the rights of of the Williams Lake band living around Fish Lake, which if Clark and Bennett had their way, would become a tailings pond!
In writing this letter, I went to Wikipedia to read the history of this and other mines owned by Taseko Mining Limited and found financial statements that show they're a very wealthy company. Surely losing this one mine location won't impact their bottom line and we wonder why they appear to want to join the provincial government in appealing this second decision.
We're also disgusted with the way Bill Bennett is reacting to this decision. We'd love to hear his personal definition of a healthy environment, but then he has already shown his true colours when he helped to set up the artificial town and council in the Jumbo Lake area — another project that angers B.C. citizens!
We just hope that the Ktunaxa band, the Friends of Qat'muk, and the residents of the Invemere Valley and beyond will be successful in a lawsuit that would put a stop to a planned ski resort in this very special area.
NO means NO, Mr. Bennett and Ms. Clark!
Your appeals cost us money, but worst of all they blatantly display, on many levels, your lack of ethical and moral integrity.
For those of you not familiar with this story, please go to www.canadiandimensions.com/articles/5888.
John and Rosemary Baxter,
Courtenay